111914 by Cerritos College Talon Marks

CERRITOS COLLEGE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2014

WWW.TALONMARKS.COM

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VOLUME 59, NO. 10

RESHUFFLING THE DECK Lewis enters the trustee game as Drayer and Liu return

Hughlett honored as he retires Gustavo Lopez

e Truste

5 Z

Trustee

News Editor @Gus_Lopez07

Truste e

Dr. Bob Hughlett began his career at Cerritos as a professor

for the Disabled Student Program and Services in January 1973, then went on to become the Dean of the same program until he retired in 2005. His career didn’t end there, however. He said, “I was working in DSPS from ‘73 to 2005, when I

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now. “Just

being

able to maintain

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been on the board for nine years

TH R E E

IC R T IS

and I was elected then and I’ve

SEVEN

DISTRICT

FIVE

retired. I ran for the board in 2005

the momentum of the college du r i ng some v e r y tough times

Bob Hughlett leaves Cerritos College after serving the college for almost 32 years. He had a ceremony at the Nov. 12 board of trustees

o v e r the last several years and to see

iu Shin L

Q&A with the trustees

urich Lewis What makes you different?

“I believe, because I got elected as some-

one that is 21 years old, I believe that I can relate to students that much better. And my new perspective to the board of trustees, it’s going to allow me to have that much more staying power. It’s the ability to be backed by the students of Cerritos College, because, essentially, I am one of them. I may not go to Cerritos College specifically, but I am a college student, and that’s one of the reasons that I did get into this race. So, going in there and being an advocate and messenger for the student cause … it is

NEWS

the arrival of Linda Lacy, she’s the

3 Zurich Lewis

a pandemic problem throughout the educational system that we don’t have enough classes available at different times that are needed. So, as a member of the board of trustees I’m able to go in with that perspective and formulate that policy.” To be inaugurated along with Shin Liu and John Paul Drayer. “Going up there and being sworn in with two incumbents, it allows me to feel that I went out there and earned it … I think it’s a very big honor and I’m looking forward to the next four years and being able to immerse myself in all of the policies that the board of trustees will be doing. And to make sure to know what the student concerns are.”

ohn Paul Drayer How did you feel about the election results?

FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

‘Shhhhh’: Library and Student Center too loud

ARTS

best president the college has ever

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had,” he said. When he was working in

hn Pa ul Dra yer

“I feel really great because Dr. Shin Liu won, as well. I think the voters said they’re happy with the college, especially our construction program. Constituents in my area drove by the construction site on Alondra and Studebaker and they were really impressed by the new building and how nice it looked and the new entrance to the building.” What were some of the difficulties you’ve faced on the board? “Well, there are different personalities, there’s different opinions and you can’t please everybody. But you try and work through it and compromise and get to know each other, as well. So, I’ve worked to compromise with the board and will continue to do so.”

DSPS, he recalls having only

governance. When I first came in I didn’t know anyone at the table except for some of the board members, so I helped to elect Dr. Shin Liu five years ago. So, I knew her, but I didn’t know anyone else as long as I knew Dr. Shin Liu. So now by having that understanding of people, the policies of the board and having spent two years writing the directions on the board, the goals are green buildings and a balanced budget for the campus.”

hin Liu

What are your goals for the board now that you’ve been elected again?

started with 25 students, but by the time he left DSPS there were over 1,200 students. “I’m proud of the fact that we grew the program to where we had so many students able to benefit from the offerings of Cerritos College,” Hughlett said. Linda Lacy said she knew of Hughlett even before she came to Cerritos. Lacy recalls how Hughlett’s eyes lit up at his dedication of the DSPS reception area in his name, when his grandson came up to Hughlett. “He was humbled by that event and I think him seeing that expression of how much he ap-

How will your previous experience on the board help you in this next tenure?

“I hope to achieve more student success through better budgeting and the use of technology to help ease the costs for students.”

“By having experience and relationships with the people on the table, we have shared

Liu could not be reached for further comments.

whelmed of the gesture,” she said.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 4

Top 5 places to eat around campus

SPORTS

preciated what had been done for him; I think he was a little over-

FULL STORY ON PAGE 6

Hawaiian roots for football players

2 - NEWS

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 • www.talonmarks.com

Denny Cristales/TM

Quiet!: People around the library had one irony to say about it - it’s too loud. The Student Center has received the same complaint, as well. Librarian Stephanie Rosendlatt mentioned how a divider could possibly be placed in order to create a “social” section of the library and a “study” section.

Noise a common complaint in library ‘Shhhhhhhhhhh.’ Denny Cristales Editor-in-Chief @Den_Crist

Noise has become an issue for students regarding the Student Center and library areas. There is concern with students and ASCC members that the regulations and rules for the two areas have not been enough, and that the noise and atmosphere has reached an obnoxious level, seemingly making it a not ideal place to study or concentrate. ASCC, at its Cabinet and Senate meetings, proposed solutions to the problem. Additionally, at a recent Student-Life committee meeting, the same concern was brought up. A proposed cause to this problem is that students do not have a place to interact or have fun on campus. Despite the Student Center serving as the “hangout” type of spot that is seemingly missing on campus, it still serves as an interference, according to Olivia Henderson, business and communication major, as she sometimes doesn’t even understand “why some people are here.” “They’re in here all day just doing really dumb stuff. There’s this (woman) who comes in here; she’s just here for hours with a group, and she’s just always screaming; each time she sees a new person, she’s just screaming. “I don’t like to go to the library because I just feel that it’s a lot more packed in there.” And the library is a source of its own noisy issues, as well. Librarian Stephanie Rosendlatt chalks it up to an environmental issue. “The problem is that the campus has a lot of students, and there’s not a lot of space where students can congregate ... it’s just kind of hard because we have a group of students that need a place to study, and then we have a group of students that

need a place to connect with their friends.” Human Resources major and student-aid for the library, Carolina Perec, agrees that the library area has become a place of recreation as opposed to one of studying. “It can be a nuisance. It’s really loud because we have a lot of students coming in … They come here just to socialize, basically. It interferes with the people that are actually studying.” Hyginus Ifeanyi, landscape architecture major, agrees with the same point, “I often hear the librarians, over the speaker, telling the students to be quiet; that people need to study and concentrate. Then, you would hear it get quiet for a little bit, and then it will get loud again. “Some people just want to joke and be with their friends, but that area is a place to be serious, and if you want to laugh, you should go outside.” Even the computer room has issues, as nursing major Elizabeth Torres noted that the person in charge, Masoud Alavian, has to sometimes kick people out of the lab because of how loud it gets. “I think that’s good for him. I applaud what he’s doing, although some of the (students) get face-toface with him.” Alavian refused to comment on the matter. As Rosendlatt believes the issue is an environmental one, an environmental approach is being proposed to combat it. According to the librarian, a glass wall will be put up by next summer or next fall, dividing up the library into two parts - a “group, chatty side, and the other would be enforced to the more quiet, serious study side.” Regardless, for now, the problem remains. Rosendlatt said, “It’s just that we have competing needs; people study differently, people’s expectations about public space are different. Hopefully by next fall it’ll be a lot better.”

Denny Cristales/TM

Rack’em up: Gilbert Gonzalez, zoology major, starting up the game of pool by serving up and shooting off the first hit. He was playing pool with his other group of friends. He usually comes by Monday and Wednesday.

for the Game room?

Denny Cristales Editor-in-Chief @Den_Crist

It seems like it could be “game over” for the Game Room. Discussions at ASCC have intensified regarding the Game Room and the possibility of removing it entirely and replacing it with something else. The Game Room has been losing revenue, according to reports at ASCC meetings, namely reports by Dean of Student Services Gilbert Contreras, who is emphasizing that the room should be replaced with some sort of activity center. The reasoning is that students require a place to interact and socialize besides the Student Center. There’s a feeling that the student population has surpassed the amount of space that Cerritos College encompasses. It’s not final or completely known what could be replacing the Game Room or when the process would further escalate for its removal, but

the talks are becoming more prominent. The Game Room is home to pool tables and arcade games, such as Tekken 5 and Street Fighter 3rd Strike. Some students were quite somber at the idea of the Game Room being axed, as it is utilized as a place for recreation between classes, but others were not opposed to it if it meant knowing what exactly would be replacing the room. Tristian Escobar, nursing major, said, “It should be a good idea, but just leave the pool tables, you know. A lot of people still use them. I understand removing the (arcade) machines and all, but not the tables.” Alexander Gaspar, an accounting major, reiterated the same points about the pool tables, with the tables being the only real thing he would miss. “I would just really miss the pool tables, pretty much,” he said. “I mean, if (the school) keeps that or adds foosball tables or something like that I would be fine with it.” Jonathan Carmona, an engineering ma-

jor, would be more interested in knowing what would be replacing the room. “What would be replacing it? I would have to know more about it. I kind of like the Game Room, so I would be kind of happy if (the college) kept it, honestly.” Other students expressed how they wouldn’t know what to do in between classes or where they would go. Gilbert Gonzalez, zoology major, said, “Getting the Game Room removed will leave people who don’t have friends nowhere to be. Where would they go? It’s not fun being outside, it’s fun having the Game Room.” Jeros Colchado, an administrative justice major, agrees. He said, “Well, it’s my first year so I’m not here as much, but I mean, I wouldn’t know what else to do to kill time. I don’t know, honestly. I guess I would be in the library or something.” To know more about the Game Room and its features, read a feature on Page 4.

We’re going to need more coverage

ENROLL: JOURNALISM 107A

CERRITOS COLLEGE

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 • www.talonmarks.com

EDITORIAL

CERRITOS COLLEGE

Talon Marks is a First Amendment publication. Editorials express the views of the Editorial Board. Other opinions express the view of the author and are not to be considered opinions of the publication’s staff, the Editorial Board, the advisers, the Cerritos College Associated Students, the college administration or the Board of Trustees. Production and printing of Talon Marks is partially funded by the Associated Students of Cerritos College. Facilities and academic supervision are provided by the Journalism Program. Newsroom offices are located in the Fine Arts Building, Room FA42. Cerritos College is located at 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 Telephone numbers: (562) 860-2451, ext. 2617 FAX (562) 467-5044 Vol. 59 © 2014 Talon Marks

FALL 2014 STAFF Editor-in-Chief Denny Cristales Managing Editor Daniel Green

OPINION - 3

Library needs to be silent What do you think of when picturing a library? A quiet place full of books, students with their textbooks out studying. Or do you imagine a place where people laugh and talk to their friends, making it impossible to study? Well, if you pictured the second one you’re in luck because the Cerritos College Library fits that criteria perfectly. Anyone who spends time in the library knows that the volume in the room is too loud for studying. Unfortunately, the library has become more of a social center than a place of peace and quiet. Unless you are willing to get up as early as possible, the noise in the library rises around midmorning. Now to be clear, the library itself is good and the staff who run it are always helpful. The school has put a lot of time and money to make the library helpful for students. It has Wi-Fi, computers for students to work on, personal desks and comfortable seats. Personnel have done everything to make the library accessible to students. Unfortunately, the students are the problem. Many students seem unaware of the fact that the library is not a place to meet with your friends and chat. Most people across the world realize that a library is supposed to be a place where you can focus in peace. Sadly this is not the case at Cerritos College. Go inside the main area and you can see groups of people looking at YouTube videos on laptops, talking about everything but school. It has been so out of hand that earplugs are actually placed on the main desk for anyone who needs to block out the noise. It seems crazy that rather than finding a way to fix the noise problem, we have given in and allowed these students to do what they want at the expense of others. There is now talk of adding a barrier to

the library, which will separate the library into an area for lounging and one for studying. It never should have come this far. The idea of a library being a quiet place for studying is not a groundbreaking concept. It is incredibly selfish and self-centered of these students who come in and use it like their living room rather than what it is meant for. Now, no one is saying that Cerritos College should be a dark, dreary place. We all need to relax and forget about classes for a little while. Students do need some place where they can talk to their friends and talk about stupid things, but it should be redirected to other places. We have a Student Center filled with food and televisions. It also has a whole room full of tables for students to eat and talk without anyone to bother them. Students can also take advantage of Falcon Square, which has more than enough spots to relax, like the Hill. Cerritos can only benefit by creating an atmosphere where students don’t become too stressed, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of other students. If students take responsibility for their actions we can save money on a barrier that we shouldn’t need and put it toward something we actually need. For the low price of shutting up for a few hours, we can save money that could buy more computers or help buy supplies for the classroom. Stopping the noise in the library helps everyone. If we all do our part to keep the library, a place where we can all focus and work, we all benefit. You may not need it today or even tomorrow, but wouldn’t you like to know that place is there just in case?

Courtesy of MCT Campus

Online Editor Maria Lopez News Editor Gustavo Lopez Sports Editor Armando Jacobo Arts Editor Katherine Grijalva Opinion Editor Grester Celis-Acosta

Free Speech Zone

How would you minimize the noise level in the library?

Managing Multimedia

Luis Guzman

Multimedia Editors Kristopher Carrasco Daniel Linares

Compiled by: Samantha Vasquez

Copy Editors Monica Gallardo Jennifer Medina Kenia Torres Samantha Vasquez

Staff Writers Sebastian Aguayo Eduardo Alvarado Gildardo Aquino Julien Galvan Carlos Holguin Alan Leyva Abraham Venegas Larissa Calderon Faculty Adviser Rich Cameron Instructional Lab Tech I Alicia Edquist Journalism Association of Community Colleges Pacesetter Award 2009-2010

Selena Mayan

Kimberly Arguelles

Nursing major

“I’d put up posters and little signs around the library so people can see them and listen to them.”

“I know it’s loud but I would just ask the students to be quieter.”

“I’ll tell (students) that I am studying. I’d also tell them to be quiet so I can focus.”

Graphic Design major

Mayra Vasquez

Sean Luis

“I would have everyone working to go around and tell students to lower their voice.”

“I would tell students to make less noise.”

Biology Chemistry major

Education major

Photographs by: Carlos Holguin

Employees need to get free time TALON MARKS

Associate Editors Nicolette Aguirre Alex Naveja

Nelson Godoy

Samantha Vasquez

Opinion Copy Editor @SammyVee_

With it being the holiday season, choosing between spending time with your family and work is a difficult choice. What’s worse than that? People are forced to work on Black Friday, which is completely unfair. This is why no one should shop on Thanksgiving. For many that don’t know, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a prominent day in the year for retail shoppers in the United States because practically everything is on sale. It’s also the one day where individuals might witness some people going crazy and having a full on brawl for certain products. The only problem with Black Friday is that many retail corporations are focused on raising their sales, so they open their stores a day before, which is

Thanksgiving. For instance, Best Buy will be opening at 5 p.m. and Target will be opening at 6 p.m. If some stores open on Thanksgiving, that means that employees that are celebrating the holiday are forced to leave their families and go to work. Those employees look forward to spending time with their family, as well as the family wanting to spend time with them. So is it worth taking away that special time with their loved ones? Absolutely not. They don’t even get paid enough. Most of the employees working on Black Friday are getting paid minimum wage from their jobs and they barely get any hours or too many hours, along with little to no choice when requesting a day off. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45 percent of retail workers do not get paid extra for working on holidays. It just isn’t right. Employees should either have the choice of whether they want to work or not, or get paid extra for working on a holiday.

Retail workers usually work an entire week (including weekends), and if they’re lucky, they’ll get two days off throughout a week. Just imagine how difficult it is to find time to spend with family with such a schedule. Making Thanksgiving a retail holiday is taking away the only time to spend with family and friends. It’s time to give employees a breather from working an entire week. It’s not worth it to make Black Friday two days long. Either get rid of it or keep it to one day. Including Black Friday, there’s 364 other days to shop throughout the entire year, and 30 days to shop until Christmas. It’s never too late to help employees get Thanksgiving off, all consumers need to do is not shop. Remember what Thanksgiving is all about. It’s about spending time with your family or friends and giving thanks for everything you have in life. It’s not about leaving Thanksgiving dinner early to line up outside your favorite store.

Letter to the Editor

Skateboarding is not a problem I was reading Talon Marks for October 15, 2014 and couldn’t help but notice the hateful article the editor-in-chief posted. One particular paragraph that caught my attention and which I feel shouldn’t be on the paper was and I quote, “I cannot tell you the contempt I feel for that man right then and there. I cannot convey to you the temptation I get each time

this happens to me to just stick out an elbow and pop the guy right on the chin.” This article is so wrong in so many ways. He goes further to compare skateboarders to murderers. I use a skateboard as a means of transport and to support a greener campus. From, Christian Ugbah.

Scan to see “Leditors to the Editor,” where the editor-in-chief personally responds to the letter above.

http://bit.ly/1yNw75C

4 - ARTS

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 • www.talonmarks.com

top places to eat near campus Eduardo Alvarado Staff Writer @EddieAlvaradoTV

“The food options here suck. Period,” Engineering major Leo Martinez said. With very limited food options found on campus, it’s no wonder why many students seek to find and dine around the Cerritos College community. “The food here isn’t that good. “I only eat here when I’m short on time or when I’m really really hungry,” Business major Carla Garcia said. Food options found on campus range from Taco Bell, Frantone’s, the Culinary Arts Cafe, with other food vendors. Quick snack options can also be found at the Cerritos College Bookstore, as well as The Elbow Room. For students who might be thinking of dining outside of campus or for those who already dine outside of campus but wish to try something new, we have compiled a list of the top five establishments worthy of trying. All the establishments below are within a short drive or walk from Cerritos College, and there are descriptions as to why it’s worth a shot.

Olive Garden Panera Bread

Chick-fil-A

Rodger’s Sandwiches

Alondra’s Mexican Food

1.5 miles away 0.4 miles away 0.5 miles away 2.0 miles away Chick-fil-A is the perfect choice for chicken lovers and those who wish to have a cheat day once in a while. With options ranging from its well known chicken sandwich to chicken salads, Chick-fil-A offers just about everything on its menu anyone can enjoy. It also offers outside patio tables, as well as booths, which are perfect for a quick study session solo, or in groups.

If you’re sick of chain store sandwiches, then Rodger’s Sandwiches is worth a try. Just a walk away from Cerritos College, Rodger’s offers both hot and cold sandwiches, ranging from a Southwestern Chicken Sandwich to BBQ Beef Sandwiches. Rodger’s has multiple offerings anyone can imagine. Not a sandwich person? Rodger’s also offers garden salads, as well as Caesar salads.

Literally across the street from Cerritos College, Alondra’s Mexican Food offers just about everything Mexican food lovers can imagine. Food options range from tacos, burritos, to even tortas. Just a walk away from Cerritos College, Alondra’s is a great spot to stop by for students with a short class gap to sit down and grab a quick bite. Bonus: Alondra’s Mexican Food offers a Cerritos College student special menu, where students are able to receive more for their buck.

2.2 miles away Those who wish to grab a bite and get some homework or studying done, Panera Bread is definitely worth a try. Its menu ranges from soups and salads to panini’s and pastries. Panera Bread also offers a loyalty card where customers receive rewards for dining at Panera Bread. It also offers to-go options where customers can place their orders online and pick them up in a matter of minutes. Bonus: Panera Bread offers complimentary wireless Internet for customers dining inside.

If you’re a sucker for Italian food and sick of pizza, then Olive Garden is the place to be at. Food options range from its famous pasta dishes to fried calamari. Other food options include stuffed mushrooms and Calabrian wings. Olive Garden is also having its “Never Ending Past Bowl” specials, where customers can enjoy selective allyou-can-eat pasta dishes starting at $9.99. The special runs all month long and is perfect for a study date or for those with a large gap in between classes. Bonus: Olive Garden also serves never-ending salad or soups paired with freshly baked breadsticks with every order.

Game Room recreational, social spot for students Denny Cristales Editor-in-Chief @Den_Crist

For students, the Game Room serves as a neat pit stop between classes, with pool and other arcade games available for recreational use. The popular choice at the Game Room seems to be pool, or billiards. Students enjoy the competitive atmosphere when it comes to the Game Room, in addition to the social aspect of it, as well. Jeros Colchado, an administrative justice major, said, “It gets competitive when you meet other people. Sometimes you play Tekken, those arcade games, and people would be like ‘oh, want me to go against you?’ So you actually get to meet those people, while you also try to kick their asses.” Colchado was with Sandra Rivas, a biology major, who was playing Initial D Version 3, which is a racing game. There is still the usual student who would play one of the common fighting games found inside the room, like Tekken as aforementioned by Colchado, but pool is largely the prominent choice for people who come by to play. Most students use it as a place to take a break, or as an escape of the usual norm around campus. Tristian Escobar, nursing major, said, “I come here in my spare time. I mean, I have to study at some point, but when I have nothing better to do, I just come here. I come here to get my mind off of things. It’s basically all I do.” Students typically come in groups into the Game Room. Alexander Gaspar, an accounting major, was with a group of friends (Gilbert Gonzalez, zoology major, and Jonathan Carmona, engineering major, being some of those friends), playing pool. He usually comes by Monday and Wednesday between classes. He jokingly mentioned that the only thing that bothers him is the music that plays, but he said it’s “great fun,” regardless. The social atmosphere makes it an ideal place to just relieve some stress, Carmona and Gonzalez both emphasized. Gonzalez said, “You can just walk in here and play games with all your friends.”

Faculty Gala performance raises funds for scholarships Gustavo lopez News Editor @Gus_Lopez07

Anna DeMichele opened up Cerritos College’s semi-annual Faculty Gala by welcoming people in attendance and thanking them for showing their support for the school. The money raised for scholarships for students in the spring. The Faculty Gala took place in the Burnight Theatre Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. The music department faculty who performed:

Gustavo Lopez/TM

Gala performance: Keren Schweitzer on the flute and Jason Lippmann on cello perform Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Assobio A Jato (A Jet Whistle). The pair was the opening act at the Semi-Annual Faculty Gala on Nov. 16 at the Burnight Center Theatre.

Keren Schweitzer, flute Jason Lippmann, cello Fang-Fang Shi Inouye, piano Tammy Tsai, violin Gloria Liu Traulle, cello Christine S. Lopez, piano Anna DeMichele, soprano Nathan Board, horn David Lopez, clarinet Conrad Immel, baritone

Derek Gordon, piano Sung Ae Lee, piano Brent Anderson, trombone David Betancourt, trumpet Stephen Klein, tuba Angela Romero, trumpet The performers displayed their talents through instruments and voice. The first performance was by Schweitzer and Lippmann, performing pieces by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The performance was followed by Shi Inouye’s piano pieces by Bach and Chopin. Shi Inouye said, “I hardly think about this as a career, but now I’m realizing that I have this platform that is just, it’s like a spiritual thing, that’s leading me. Whatever I’m doing is my platform. I’m teaching through playing.” She was born in a musician’s family, though she admitted that she hated it “because practicing is not

fun, especially when you’re little.” She chose Bach and Chopin, because of the contrasting pieces. She encouraged students who are also studying piano and music in general to keep at it. “It’s a lonely road and it takes a lot of mental strength … but I think maybe, through a teacher’s perspective, you can’t really force something when it’s not time, you have to nurture it.” The next performances were by Tsai, Liu Traulle and Lopez in a trio piece by Franz Joseph Haydn. Followed by a vocal rendition of Franz Schubert’s Auf dem Strom (On the River) by DeMichele, accompanied by Board and Lopez. Conrad Immel, vocal instructor, sang four traditional folk songs. “I’ve been on lots and lots of faculty concerts and I’ve always done serious things, so I said, ‘I’m going to do something fun,'” he said. Immel was really interested in folk songs during college but later

went on to perform in Germany and Austria as an opera singer before coming back to teach at the University of Southern California. The final performance was the Harlem Nocturne, by Anderson, Betancourt, Board, Klein and Romero. The Gala was followed by a reception where students were able to meet and greet the performers. Viviana Ramirez , music major and in the Applied Music program, was in attendance to show support for her professors and for a class. “Personally, since I’m a vocalist, I learned a lot from Dr. DeMichele and Professor Immel, which is like breathing support and posture and feeling comfortable on stage.” Another music major, Carolina Santillan, said, “What I enjoyed the most is that professors are there in the classroom to teach and help you, but it’s a very rare occasion when you see them perform so you see them as artists.”

SPORTS - 5

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 • www.talonmarks.com

Daryl Peterson/Cerritos Falcons

Despite initial start Kirk stays humbled Grappling adversity: Dustin Kirk has been wrestling since sophomore year of high school, but recently took the sport seriously and now ranks first in the state with community college wrestlers in his 133-pound weight class.

Monica Gallardo Sports Copy Editor @Radioeggs

Standout athletes usually dedicate their life to a sport at an early age, learning the basics and mastering them throughout the years. That is not the case for Cerritos College wrestler Dustin Kirk. “Honestly, I had no idea what wrestling was my freshman year of high school. I started wrestling around sophomore year and I didn’t really get into it until my junior year, so I’m still pretty fresh at it,” he said. Kirk was encouraged by his uncle, a former wrestler, to join the Elsinore High School wrestling team in an effort to turn his life around. “I would say, sixth grade through freshman year, I was just a bad kid. I had a 0.8 grade point average and I got it up to 3.6 in order to wrestle and started getting

more focused in classes,” he said. Despite losing the first 11 matches of his debut season, Kirk went on to place fourth at the California Interscholastic Federation Championships during his junior year at 120 pounds, and took first place as a senior. Now as a Falcon, he is ranked No. 1 in California at 133 pounds and is a captain of the team. Of the team’s top ranking, he said, “It’s the coaches. They’re great coaches and there are a lot of talented (athletes) on the team. “There are a couple other captains on the team and we’re all ranked No. 1, and I feel like once everyone does (his) own thing, it brings the team together and we all believe in each other.” After debating between attending Palomar College and Cerritos College, Kirk decided that Cerritos had the better training partners and coaching facility. In the future, he hopes to win a state title, earn a Division 1 or 2 scholarship and continue wrestling.

“Other than that, of course I want to get an education and pursue a career; to be successful.” Coach Don Garriott said, “He’s a true team leader. He leads by example, he’s not afraid to get on someone if (he is) not doing what (he is) supposed to do, he does everything we ask him to do and he never complains.” Kirk credits his high school coach, Damon Broadbent, for the humble inspiration. “I looked up to him as someone that I wanted to be like. He was a really good wrestler, he had all kinds of great accomplishments; he won state, and other than that, I think just the person he is - great family and very humble.” That humbleness has helped Kirk succeed on the mat. “I stay positive, always study my films, always have a good attitude coming to practice and when I go to a match, I’m always ready, I’m focused.” Wrestler Jesus Aispuro said, “I always see him at

practice every single day and he always goes all out. I’ve wrestled him and he’s a tough guy. He’s a force to be reckoned with.” Wrestler Luis Pacheco said, “He’s a very humble guy, has good work ethic, he doesn’t know the word ‘quit’ and he has a lot of heart. He’s a good guy as a friend and as a teammate. He comes out here and helps me a lot whenever I need help.” Kirk cites the physicality as his favorite aspect of wrestling. “I like how it’s physical and one-on-one. You don’t have to rely on your team. Of course, when it’s a dual meet, you and your team are out there, you have to score points, but other than that, it’s individual.” Off the mat, he is a liberal arts major who enjoys the outdoors, such as hiking and going to the beach, and listening to artists such as Sublime and Rebelution, but spends most of his time improving on his sport. “I like to go to the gym. I’m always working out, constantly, so wrestling for sure,” he said.

Golden State Bowl game next for football team Armando Jacobo

Sports Editor @Jacobo_Armando_

The regular season has ended. But, the playoffs await for the Cerritos College football team on Saturday against Santa Barbara City College. The Falcons finish the season with a 7-3 overall record and losing those three games by a total of 10 points. “We beat ourselves all three of those games, we lost by 10 points in total,” Dante Foster, free safety, said. Expectations were high priority to the season, as the team aimed for an undefeated season. “Honestly, when the season began we expected to go undefeated. Obviously it’s disappointing losing three games but 7-3 is still nice and we see ourselves being successful, and I feel we accomplished that goal of being successful,” Garron Featherston, defensive tackle, said. Reminiscing on the regular season, defensive coordinator Tom Caines mentioned key injuries early in the season. Both sides of the ball withheld expectations

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of going undefeated. “You look back at some of the injuries we’ve had, we opened up the first game on defense and lost our two starting corners and our fastest safety the first game, even offensively we lost some important guys,” he said. Caines added, “We lost our top running back the second game. That’s in hindsight when you look back at all those injures to finish 7-3. Our three losses are by a combined 10 points, we lost two games by three and one by four. If we were healthy we could have easily gone 10-0.” The Falcons are comGarron Featherston ing off a two-game winDefensive Tackle ning streak and own a 4-1 record when playing at home. Santa Barbara City College mirrors the exact same record as the Falcons but owns a 1-10-1 overall record when playing in bowl games. Although the team has not played the Vaqueros (7-3) in over 30 years, the Falcons are confident enough to finish the season with a win. “I feel confident, we have a really good team and really strong defense and a really good of-

Honestly, when the season began we expected to go undefeated. Obviously it’s disappointing losing three games but 7-3 is still nice.

Daryl Peterson/Cerritos Falcons

One more game to tackle: The Cerritos College football team hosts Santa Barbara City College at the Golden State Bowl on Nov. 22.

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fense. We have to work harder to work better as a team and as a family,” Foster said. According to the California Community College Regional State Football Poll, Cerritos College is ranked sixth in the National Divsion, while Santa Barbara City College is ranked fifth in the American Division. Despite acquiring a bowl bid this season, the Falcons lose out in competing in the California Community College Athletic Association championship game on Nov. 29. The Falcons host the Golden State Bowl game against the Vaqueros on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.

Scan to see CCCAA rankings.

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6 - SPORTS

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 • www.talonmarks.com

Hawaiian Island Roots Have players bonded on field

Unga-Solomon

Alexander Naveja Associate Sports Editor @TalonMarks

On the football team, a group of players that have made their presence known have built a very strong family connection and a brotherhood with one another. One of the Hawaiian Island brothers, Norman Unga-Solomon, said, “We all live with each other. Right now, it’s only the four of us - me, Gio, Wiki and Cordell.” The players have a strong connection with each other on and off the field, but the family back home is the strong force. Siosaia Kalavi said, “My brother got me involved, I didn’t like football but he started to play with me and I started to like it. He would take me to his football games and I would sit there and watch.” Kalavi actually has a deeper feeling of why he plays football today. He said, “The most inspirational person for me is

Kalavi

Chaines

my brother because he was the one who inspired me to Chanes is the only one in his family that plays footplay football and he passed away a couple of years ago ball, but with Solomon, his family is filled with football players. so I play for him now. It runs in his family. “It reminds me of who I am playing “I do have family football history. My for and what I am doing it for.” It reminds me of who I’m playdad still holds the record for most interCordell Waahila, who is also a part of ing for and what I am doing it ceptions and I am attempting to follow the Hawaiian family, has his family from for. in his footsteps on defense,” Solomon home that he would like to pay back his Siosaia Kalavi said. Offensive Guard dues. He also said, “I have a lot of family “My mom is definitely my inspiraplaying in college and the NFL level. My tion because I had it hard growing up. cousin Harvey Unga is playing for the Hopefully I can pay her back for it with what I can do in Jacksonville Jaguars and I have a couple of cousins that my career,” Waahila said. are free agents. My cousin Joe Unga is playing for the His family also played an important role in influencBills right now.” ing him to play football. Football is not the only passion, as school is a focus, “My uncles encouraged me to play football. I as well. would’ve considered rugby since it’s big in the PolyneWaahila would like to get his Bachelor’s Degree in sian culture,” he said. business management. Giovanni Chanes and Unga-Solomon have two difKalavi would like to get into the NFL draft because ferent stories when it comes to family and football.

Waahila

of his size. Chanes would like to get into the NFL draft, as well, but if it doesn’t work out, he plans to use his scholarships from South Alabama University and University of Alabama Burmingham. Solomon plans to take football as far as he can, but would like to help people to become fitness trainers. Head coach Frank Mazzotta is very pleased to have the players, the brothers on his team and likes the way they conduct themselves toward the other players. He said, “They are really good athletes. They have really happy personalities, they are tough on the field but are friendly off the field.” Not only are they good with the other players, but with each other they are truly a family. Mazzotta also said, “They are good to each other as well because they are really close and they are like brothers, they call each other brothers. “They are very close, very dependable and very loyal and not only to their own people, but to football.”